Looking to support a cause?
Buttons are an easy way to silently show your allegiance, raise awareness and attract others to your cause.
A well-designed button can literally change a person mind about donating or volunteering. The initial “I don’t have time,” line of thought can switch to “Maybe I should,” thanks to the message on a button. The simple fact is that awareness of a problem is the first step in finding a solution, and buttons play a large role in spreading awareness.
We put together a roundup of some of our favorite buttons that help important causes raise awareness.
Autism Awareness
Autism has always been one of the more misunderstood disorders and is one of the biggest fears faced by parents as 1 in 68 children fall somewhere on the Autism Spectrum Disorder chart. It wasn’t that long ago that an autism diagnosis meant segregation from other kids or even being institutionalized. New research has led to a better understanding of autism, including causes, risk factors, and much better treatments that can allow children who have autism grow up and lead normal lives. If you are interested in helping spread awareness for autism, here are two great organizations:
Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast cancer will affect 1 out of 8 (12%) women within their lifetime, and while it only affects men on a 1 in a thousand basis, this disease can happen to anyone. Research has increased not only the survival rate but has also found better ways to catch and diagnose cancer earlier. Awareness campaigns have also gotten more women to get regular mammograms and check themselves for lumps. Two organizations that have really helped raise awareness for breast cancer are:
Human Rights
All over the world, there are people languishing in filthy hell holes of prison with their only crime being willing to speak up for their rights or against corruption. There are countries where women are second-class citizens who are barely considered more than property. In other places, a person’s faith can be a death sentence, or maybe they are a target of genocide because of their ethnicity. Sadly, there is no shortage of human right abuses in our world which is why those who can speak up should.
Domestic Abuse Awareness
There are scores of women and men in the United States who live with an abuser. The abuse doesn’t have to be physical. The emotional and psychological abuse by a toxic person can be just as damaging as a fist. Too often people ignore the abuse they witness because they think it isn’t any of their business. That can’t be allowed to happen. Speak up.
Climate Change Awareness
The science behind climate change has been confirmed beyond any reasonable doubt and accepted as truth by the scientific community. Climate change may be a greater threat to human existence than potential nuclear annihilation was at the height of the Cold War. Even if climate change isn’t something you completely agree with, making our world a cleaner place has no drawbacks. Two organizations that have gone above and beyond raising awareness and lobbying for change are:
- UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
- UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme)
LGBTQ Awareness
The most widely accepted statistic on homosexuality is that 10% of the population is gay or feels some significant level of same-sex attraction. The LGBTQ community are our friends, neighbors, and coworkers and are a part of this world as much as anyone else, and deserve to be treated with the same respect. It goes beyond that though. Human sexuality, preferences, and self-identification are some of the most basic personal freedoms allowed us. If you feel strongly about this subject look to these two organizations to help raise awareness:
Pit Bull Awareness
The American Pit Bull Terrier is one of the most maligned and misunderstood dog breeds. Several major cities have passed laws banning this breed because of a slew of sensational news stories and the myths those have perpetuated. These myths couldn’t be further from the truth. Pit Bulls are kind and loveable nanny breed of dogs, and many caring dog lovers are working to remove the stigma wrongfully attached to these dogs and their owners. Two groups who work tirelessly to get these dogs off of death row and into loving families are:
Human Trafficking Awareness
It’s hard to imagine, in this day and age, that slavery not only still exists but is a worldwide problem. Anywhere from 800,000 to 4 million men, women and children are made into slaves each year. Most are forced to become sex workers, but many become forced labor. Some are even killed so their organs can be harvested for transplant. It’s a human rights crisis that has to be addressed now, and these two groups are doing their share to spread the word:
Cancer Awareness
Cancer is the number one killer in the world and can affect anyone at any time. Chances are, you or someone you know has battled cancer. Cancer isn’t an easy disease to fight, and with over 100 different types that can afflict a person, there is a lot of ground to cover. Cancer awareness is still important. While it may be in the back of everyone’s mind on some level, reminding someone of it may convince them to get checked by a doctor, or donate to research. The American Cancer Society has done quite a bit to bring cancer awareness into the public’s eye.
Energy Awareness
The modern world runs on electricity, and where that electricity comes from matters. Many sources, such as coal, cause pollution and are finite. Nuclear may be clean and virtually unlimited, but as Fukushima has shown, one mishap and the damage to our planet is massive. October is National Energy Awareness month. It helps educate people on the importance of clean energy and how it is quickly becoming a viable source of energy for the world.
Literacy Awareness
The ability to read and write is the foundation of our ability to function in society and a key part in leading a productive and prosperous life. As technology advances, so does out need to be able to read. Not having these basic skills condemns a person to a life of poverty and struggle. In many ways, literacy equals freedom, and when a person learns how to read, a whole new world opens up for them. The National Forum on Information Literacy has done tremendous work raising awareness for this national problem so that those struggling can find help.
Regardless of the organization, its message, and whom or what it aims to help, a well-designed button can go a long way in spreading a message that needs to be heard. So, next time you see someone boasting a cause, take a minute and really think about the message and what you can do to assist in making the world a better place.
